Eight years after Blue Maqams, Anouar Brahem returns with a weighty project named after a line of verse by the poet Mahmoud Darwish that reads: "Where shall the birds fly after the last sky?" - After the Last Sky. The captivating compositions for oud, cello, piano and bass deal subtly with this metaphysical question and its extensive entanglements in a troubled time. While Brahem draws on the traditional forms of Arabic music, he has always explored influences from around the world and drawn inspiration from sources from different cultures. Bassist Dave Holland and pianist Django Bates are once again part of the Tunisian oud master's international quartet, which is now joined here by cellist Anja Lechner.

Brahem's musical understanding with Holland - first recorded on the 1998 album Thimar - is now legendary. "Dave's playing gives me wings," said Anouar - an observation that is repeatedly confirmed on the album. Django Bates' piano, an important accompanying force throughout, contributes swirling solos. The album marks the first time Anouar has incorporated a cello into a formation. Anja Lechner, who plays a leading role in the recording, has long been familiar with Brahms' compositions and has included them in her own concert repertoire. Her cello has the first and last word here.

"After the Last Sky" was recorded in May 2024 at the Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher. The album will be released in time for the quartet's European tour with concerts in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.

Reviews

“A lament of immense strength and beauty… Brahem has created an unforgettable piece of music that will touch the soul of anyone who hears it.” — The Ear

“The plaintive voice of the oud and the pianist’s abstracted accompaniment mirror each other in tone and introspection… a meditation on grief, memory, and resistance.” — JazzTrail

“A bold move from Brahem… eschewing percussion for an all-string ensemble gives the album a unique, contemplative mood. The interplay is subtle but powerful.” — Jazz Views

“An album of extraordinary depth and emotion, marked by Brahem’s mastery of restraint and nuance. It’s as political as it is poetic.” — The Guardian

“Brahem doesn’t just play the oud—he speaks through it. Each note feels like a breath, a thought, a quiet cry.” — All About Jazz